In this blog, I’d like to share a reflection on two group walks I organised in September. The themes were letting go and joy. Moments of silence, playfulness, and reflection brought peace, clarity, and fresh energy outdoors and in the midst of nature.
1st Group Walk September with Theme: Letting Go, Unblocking, and Receiving
We all carry thoughts or emotions that no longer serve us. By literally pausing and standing still, we created space to consciously put these away as they do not have a positive influence on us. If we let go of that thought, it creates new space that could then be filled with new insights, emotions, or ideas.
I always begin my Walk and Talk sessions with a gentle warm-up, helping both mind and body to ease into a more relaxed state. We slow our pace (“there’s no rush”) while focusing on our breathing and letting our muscles unwind.
As we begin to relax, we tune into our senses like smelling, watching and feeling. We use our nose, eyes and hands.
It sounds simple, but each time I notice how something so small can uplift the walk.
Why? I do not want you to feel rushed or overwhelmed by the thoughts that might keep you distracted. As this makes it more difficult to focus on the walk and the reflection moments.
It relieves tension and helps to relax. More important it stimulates the mind to be more observant towards everything we see and do. But also towards ourself.
What I do want you be to is: Curious, Adventurous and maybe a little bit Playfull.
By the end of our group walk, you will feel overwhelmed. But in a mindful way. You will have learned new ways to relax outdoors, surrounded by the beautiful green nature reserve along the Toolenburgerplas in Hoofddorp.
On the hill at the Toolenburgerplas, we sealed this process with a small ritual: folding our hands together, symbolically placing what we wanted to let go, and letting the wind carry it away.
A small act, but it felt big. And it was so much fun. Sometimes we can be focused on something that is stuck in our mind, but often a (small) physical activity is what really helps us feel relieved.
“Letting go not only brought calm, but also clarity.”
2nd Group Walk September with Theme: Inviting Joy and Vitality into Your Day
The second walk had a different starting point: lightness, play, and joy.
That’s the strength of walking coaching: not rushing into reflection exercises, but first helping body and mind relax.
We started by setting our own, individual intention for the walk.
This was followed, as always, by a warm-up.
At the playground, we stopped. The playground is a representation of our inner child. We reflected on the question:
“What made you happy when you were a child?”
For me, I immediately thought of birthday parties spent playing mini-golf in Lage Vuursche. Maybe that’s why I still love mini-golf today. It’s tied to joyful childhood memories.
On the stepping stones, we worked with words that made us feel happy. With each step, we held one word in mind. We did the same with the second series of stepping stones. For the final set, we practiced thinking of nothing at all while walking across them.
Allowing emptiness in turned out to be much harder. Clearing the mind is challenging if we’re not used to it or rather, if we haven’t trained our minds to do so.
Before returning to our starting point at the Toolenburgerplas, everyone chose a tree. By holding or touching the tree, we reflected on:
“Where does my strength lie?”
I chose a tree with many trunks growing out of one base: diverse, branching, yet rooted. It reminded me of myself. The roots, invisible yet strong, are where true strength lies. What others see are the branches, the colors, the leaves but the foundation is hidden underneath.
Reflection
What struck me most is how the two themes complemented each other.
First, creating space by letting go. The last group walking session filling that space with lightness and joy.
The walks followed a structure, combining techniques step by step.
If I had started by asking everyone, “Name three things you’re grateful for”, it might have felt forced or uncomfortable. People often arrive rushed, not yet familiar with the coach or the group.
By gradually building trust and relaxation, the reflections went much deeper.
The Power of Connection
I’m deeply grateful for the groups I walked with during both sessions. Their moments of inspiration became mine as well.
It gave me energy and new ideas for future themes. And seeing everyone leave relaxed, yet also fulfilled with personal new ideas and intentions. For me, that’s the best proof that these group walks truly work.
